Mentone Coffee Palace - Brigidine Convent - Kilbreda College Mentone, Victoria, Australia
By n0w0rries on 01-Dec-20. Waypoint GA19474

A Virtual Cache

Origins of the school building

The original façade of the building was built by the Royal Coffee Palace Company Limited. It was opened in November 1887 and was known as the Mentone Coffee Palace. The Coffee Palace was the social centre of the town, situated on the corners of Mentone Parade, Florence Street and Como Parade. It is also near Mentone station (formerly known as Balcombe Road Station until 1884) and is surrounded by the local shops. In the 1890s due to competition with Mentone Hotel and the Depression, the Coffee Palace could no longer be run. In 1894 it fell into the hands of the Mercantile Bank of Australia, and the name of the building was changed to Como House. After this the Coffee Palace was only used occasionally for varying purposes. The Brigidine Sisters bought the Coffee Palace in mid-July 1904 for £2,050, considering the actual cost of the building and furniture, excluding land, was £25,500.

The Mentone Coffee Palace marked the pinnacle of Sir Mathew Davies’ grand vision of Mentone. Featuring an imposing spire-tower and ornate design, the lavish guest-house offered sumptuous food and accommodation. Enjoying only ten prosperous years, economic downturn and competition from the Mentone Hotel forced the unlicensed Palace to close its doors in 1898. In 1904 the disused property was sold for a bargain price to the Brigidine Sisters who opened a school with only three pupils. Now known as Kilbreda College, the school presently houses over 1000 students. Incorporating Greek and Romanesque styles, the building was conceived by Reed, Henderson & Smart. The design is especially significant for its elaborate contrasting brick-render and iron lace work.

Brigidine Convent

On 7 August 1904 the Brigidine Convent School was officially opened and blessed by Archbishop Thomas Carr, and classes began the next day. On opening, the school had three pupils enrolled in their Convent School and 25 pupils enrolled in St. Patrick's Parish Primary which was located in the Church. The fee-paying convent school began taking boarders in 1905 and subsequently obtained registration as a sub-primary, primary and secondary school. The nuns owned a farm in nearby Johnston street which the students often visited. Boarders and students of primary school age have been phased out; the final primary class being in 1978. The school has been single sex (girls) for many decades. In the 1930s the school's name was changed to Kilbreda College, the name coming from the Gaelic Cill – church or community and Breda – Brigid. Therefore, Kilbreda means Church or Community of Saint Brigid.


To claim a find on this virtual cache you will need to take a photo at the posted coordinates of either the Kilbreda College Plaque, or the Foundation Stone or the Classic Stained Glass Windows. (Or all three)
Your photo must also include your GPSr or an item containing your geocaching name. (Tag, tee shirt, piece of paper, etc.)
You can take a selfie if you prefer. (No screenshots from the internet, you must visit the site.)
Upload your photo in your log.